Twenty students from Rotorua Boys’ High School will soon be heading for the hills near Tongariro National Park for a week of leadership and life skills development at the Hillary Outdoors Education Centre with the help of NZCT.

NZCT is a major funder of the New Zealand Youth Choir, which won over the hearts of audiences and judges when achieving a clean sweep in all four categories they competed in, as well as the Grand Prix, at this year’s International Festival of Academic Choirs in Pardubice, Czech Republic.

The crew of the Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter have expressed their gratitude for the ongoing support of New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT).

When Val Morrison’s wife saw the bar he wanted to take over, she said “You’re not going to buy that dirty, little hole, are you?” But buy it he did and, three years later, it’s a top spot in Gisborne for a night out.

NZCT gave funding to Motutapu Restoration Trust last year to purchase a Farm Worker Suzuki truck for its volunteer restoration programme on Motutapu in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf.

The NZCT AIMS Games, which start on Sunday 4 September in and around Tauranga, have broken their own record for competitors with almost 9300 athletes from intermediate schools around the country taking part in 21 sports.

Six young athletes from North Shore Canoe Club made a splash in Belarus when they were selected for the New Zealand Canoe Sprint Junior/Under 23 team to compete at the World Championships at the end of July.

New Zealand Opera’s production of Verdi’s La traviata had a stellar season in July at Christchurch’s Isaac Theatre Royal, thanks to NZCT’s funding for venue hire.

After an extensive recruitment process attracting more than 90 applications, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Hodges as NZCT’s new National Grants Manager.

Between 20 - 24 January 2016 New Zealand sports fans will be treated to top-level road cycling when the New Zealand Cycle Classic is held in the Wairarapa.

NZCT is proud to support the 2016 National Sevens tournament which kicks off on Saturday 16 January in Rotorua. The tournament, which conclude on Sunday 17 January, will feature twenty six teams from across the country, as they compete to claim their respective Men’s and Women’s national titles.

On 20 December we said farewell to our long-serving Grants Manager Tony Gill.  Tony had been with NZCT for 12 years and left to take on the role of Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust Manager.During his time with NZCT, Tony met and spoke with thousands of grant applicants from a multitude of sports and community organisations.  As well as being the face of NZCT’s grants operation, during his tenure Tony oversaw some 48,000 grant applications and the distribution of around $470 million in grant funding to communities all over New Zealand.

During our 2014/15 financial year NZCT approved $45.2 million for distribution to sports organisations and community groups.  This was a fantastic result, which we couldn't have achieved without the loyalty and support of our NZCT publicans across the country.As we are obliged to do, we recently published our complete list of approved grants and declined applications in a national newspaper.  To see all the organisations that benefited from NZCT funding this past year you can download our adverts here (Northern, Central and Southern).

During October the Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter flew 29 missions.  Most (26) were emergency ambulance operations, with one Search and Rescue mission and one maternity/ICU case.  Like most non-profit organisations, the helicopter service has to work hard to raise awareness and funds to keep itself afloat.

NZCT has been a long time supporter of the New Zealand Olympic Ambassador programme which sees New Zealand Olympic Ambassadors visit schools to inspire young people to live the Olympic Values through sport.  One of the key components of the programme is Olympic Day, which this year was held in schools between 19-23rd October.

This year's NZCT AIMS Games has cracked another milestone, breaking through the 8000-athlete barrier for the first time.

By providing interaction with horses, Wellington Riding for the Disabled Association (WRDA) helps develop increased ability, independence and self- esteem in children and adults with physical, intellectual, emotional and social challenges.

The 2015 school netball season has just started, but is this a case of ‘same old, same old’?  Not at all, says Netball Wellington Centre (NWC)’s general manager Sue Geale, in fact it’s the complete opposite.

On 17 May 2015, speedy young Wellingtonians will have a chance to hone their running skills and compete against their peers in the first of a series of cross country events organised by Athletics Wellington.  The Kids Cross Country Series caters for school children from year zero to year eight. ...

The Department of Internal Affairs released the following message today regarding gambling expenditure during the 2013/14 financial year:

The 2015 NZCT New Zealand Cycle Classic kicks off in Palmerston North on Wednesday 28 January.  As the only Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) endorsed event in New Zealand, this race attracts a wide range of local and international competitors. 

Late last year NZCT helped Sunset Beach Lifeguard Service purchase a new rescue vehicle.  The vehicle has been a great asset to the club - particularly over the busy summer holiday period.  It is being used to patrol the beach and has already helped rescue several people in need of help.

NZCT is a proud supporter of Wellington Free Ambulance (WFA).  We recognise the immense contribution the service provides to people living in the greater Wellington region.  And when we received a request for assistance with the purchase of a new state-of-the-art ambulance, we were pleased to be able to help.

AIMS Games contributed more than $1.5m to region’s economy

To help lift the performance of local kayakers, Whanganui Triathlon & Multiport Club’s Kayaking division (WTMC) realised it would have to attract a dedicated, professional coach to the region.

Minister of Internal affairs Peter Dunne has confirmed new regulations will come into effect on 4 September 2014 that raise the minimum percentage of net proceeds gaming societies must return to the community.

Sport New Zealand has just released findings from its 2012 study into sport and recreation sector funding provided by gaming societies.

This year’s NZCT Chamber Music Contest is currently underway, with around 2,000 young Kiwi musicians and composers competing for top honours.

Financial assistance for Auckland City Mission

A $5,000 NZCT grant has made a big difference to Christchurch’s Halswell Tennis Club.

NZCT is a proud supporter of the Avantidrome, which was officially opened by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on 12 April 2014.

The Encounter Race Team’s campaign in the NZ Motocross season over 2013/14 has been a journey of triumphs and misfortunes that has lead to a victorious finish.

Redcliffs Tennis Club is thrilled to have its tennis courts back up and running, three years after they were destroyed by the Canterbury earthquakes.